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DEVELOPING: XGR–ELECTORAL VOTE SPLIT, XGR–ABORTION-FETAL PAIN, UNINSURED NEBRASKANS, BKW–T25-OKLAHOMA-NEBRASKA, BBA–ROYALS-GORDON, BKC–NEBRASKA-IOWA ST,
ADDS: STATE FAIR-BUILDINGS,
XGR–ELECTORAL VOTE SPLIT
LINCOLN—More than a year after Barack Obama became the first presidential candidate to split Nebraska’s electoral votes, state lawmakers will consider whether the state should shift to a winner-take-all system, which is used by all states except Nebraska and Maine. Democrats have called the bill (LB777) “sour grapes.” Republicans say splitting Nebraska’s five votes dilutes the state’s influence on the national political stage. By Jean Ortiz. Eds: Developing from 1:30 p.m. hearing.
XGR–ABORTION-FETAL PAIN
OMAHA—A determined group of lawmakers is pushing legislation that would make Nebraska the first state to limit so-called late-term abortions based on the belief that a fetus feels pain during the procedure. No other state has restricted abortions based on fetal pain and, according to Mary Spaulding Balch of National Right to Life, none has tried. The bill (LB1103) would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks—except when the mother’s life is in danger—based on assertions that some fetuses experience pain during the procedure. By Timberly Ross.
With:
— XGR–TAXING FOR DEVELOPMENT—Lawmakers appear split over a proposal that supporters say could help create appealing urban developments that would make Nebraska cities more of a draw.
— XGR–LURING TOURISTS—The blue, state-issued signs along Nebraska highways someday might point drivers to more than restaurants, lodging, fuel and campgrounds.
UNINSURED NEBRASKANS
OMAHA—A new report based on U.S. Census data says high percentages of minorities, foreign-born residents and college-aged people in Nebraskans lack health insurance. The Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha released the report on Wednesday. It shows about 190,000 Nebraskans, or 11 percent of the population, had no health insurance coverage in 2008. By Margery A. Beck.
STATE FAIR-BUILDINGS
LINCOLN—The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accepting proposals to save its 97-year-old Industrial Arts Building from a date with the wrecking ball, the school’s head said. In an e-mail sent Tuesday, Chancellor Harvey Perlman said any plans to save the building would have to be submitted by July 1, when the university plans to start demolishing it.
BUSINESS:
— WILD KINGDOM LAWSUIT—Mutual of Omaha is suing discount retailer Dollar General in a dispute over a wildlife calendar that’s already spawned at least one other similar lawsuit. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— DELAYED HARVEST—Farmers or cattle producers who have unharvested corn standing in the way of their planting preparations for 2010 may consider letting animals do the work. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
SPORTS:
BKW–T25-OKLAHOMA-NEBRASKA
NORMAN, Okla.—No. 3 Nebraska (25-0, 12-0 Big 12) can clinch its first ever Big 12 title Wednesday night with a win against No. 11 Oklahoma. But the Sooners (19-7, 9-3) will be trying to protect their record as the only team ever to go through Big 12 play unbeaten. By Jeff Latzke. Eds: Game time 7 p.m. start.
AP Photos.
BBA–ROYALS-GORDON
SURPRISE, Ariz.—Alex Gordon is back for one more attempt at becoming the star third baseman everyone expected when the Kansas City Royals made him the second overall player taken from Nebraska in the 2005 amateur draft. Except this year there’s a new element—competition in the form of Josh Fields, acquired in a trade from the White Sox.
BKC–NEBRASKA-IOWA ST
AMES, Iowa—Iowa State hosts Nebraska in a meeting of the 11th- and 12th-place teams in the Big 12. By Luke Meredith. Eds: Game time 6:35 p.m.
AP Photos.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— EAGLE POACHING—A 26-year-old Macy man faces up to four years in federal prison when he’s sentenced in May for killing bald eagles and selling feathers from red-tail hawks.
— DEER FENCE—The state plans to spend $1.1 million on a fence to keep deer from fatally dashing onto a stretch of Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha.
— CHILD SEX ASSAULT—A 36-year-old Lincoln mother has been sentenced to two-to-four years in prison for helping a man molest her daughter.
— MACY SEX OFFENDER—A Nebraska sex offender who didn’t notify authorities that he had moved to a new address has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
— BUSINESS THEFT—A McCook accountant has been charged with felony theft for allegedly taking more than $70,000 from a business whose book work she handled.
— BUSINESS PITCH—Students across Nebraska will get the chance to pitch their ideas this week to a panel of business experts.
The AP, Omaha.
